Windies hand Wickham Test debut opportunity, rest Hope and replace Alzarri Joseph

Kevin Wickham has earned his first Test call-up after being named in West Indies’ 15-man squad for next month’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, the final assignment of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

The 23-year-old middle-order batter has been rewarded for a prolific run in the 2026 West Indies Championship, where he struck three consecutive centuries, including a career-best 153, to strengthen his case for international selection.

West Indies will face Bangladesh in Mirpur from October 28 to November 1 before moving to Sylhet for the second Test from November 5-9, with head coach Daren Sammy targeting a strong finish to the championship cycle.

Wickham enters a squad that retains the bulk of the group that defeated Sri Lanka and drew with Pakistan during the Caribbean summer, while all-rounder Keemo Paul has been drafted in to replace fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.

Wickham’s weight of runs earns reward

Wickham’s elevation follows a sustained run of first-class success that has taken him to six centuries in 25 matches, with his batting average above 40.

His three successive hundreds in the latest West Indies Championship provided a compelling case for promotion, offering the selectors another middle-order option as the regional side prepares for conditions in which Bangladesh have traditionally relied heavily on spin, while also developing a more effective pace attack at home.

The call-up represents Wickham’s first opportunity at the senior Test level and gives him a chance to translate his domestic form into performances on the international stage.

The squad includes three specialist pace options, two seam-bowling all-rounders and two specialist spinners, allowing the team management flexibility in selecting an attack suited to the conditions.

Hope rested as Joseph’s workload is managed

White-ball captain Shai Hope will miss the series as Cricket West Indies manages his workload following an extended period of international commitments across all three formats.

With the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier scheduled for February next year, CWI is prioritizing Hope’s fitness and preparation ahead of that important assignment.

Joseph, meanwhile, has been withdrawn following a routine medical assessment and consultation with specialists. The decision was taken in agreement with the fast bowler as part of a plan to reduce the risk of injury associated with the physical demands of Test cricket.

CWI indicated that the repeated high-intensity spells required over consecutive Test matches in Bangladesh present a significantly greater workload than shorter white-ball formats. Joseph has not been ruled out of limited-overs cricket and will continue working with the medical team and specialists as he prepares for a full return to the longer format.

Paul has been called up as Joseph’s replacement, adding another all-round option to the touring group.

Opener John Campbell has also demonstrated his return to fitness after the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the home series against Pakistan.

Sammy targets strong finish to championship cycle

Sammy said the Bangladesh series provides West Indies with an important opportunity to make progress against the objectives established at the beginning of the current World Test Championship cycle.

“At the start of this World Test Championship cycle we set ourselves goals, and one of them was to finish in the top half of the rankings. Winning this series would move us closer to it. Playing Bangladesh in their own conditions will be challenging, and we’re ready for that.”

A series victory could lift West Indies to sixth in the ICC Test rankings at the conclusion of the current cycle, an improvement on their eighth-place finish in the 2023–2025 period.

The challenge, however, will be significant. Bangladesh have traditionally been difficult opponents on home soil, particularly through their use of spin, and West Indies will need to adapt quickly to conditions in Mirpur and Sylhet if they are to secure the desired result.

Chennai preparations ahead of Bangladesh arrival

Players not involved in the ongoing T20I series in India have begun preparations at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai under assistant coach Floyd Reifer.

Amir Jangoo joined the group after the first T20I in Lucknow, as the touring party begins its preparations for the red-ball assignment.

The full squad is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on October 18 before playing a three-day warm-up match in Dhaka from October 22-24.

The preparatory fixture will provide an opportunity for the players to adjust to local conditions before the opening Test.

West Indies Test Squad: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Wickham.

Team Management Unit: Head coach: Daren Sammy, Manager: Rawl Lewis, Assistant coach (batting): Floyd Reifer, Assistant coach (bowling): Ravi Rampaul, Assistant coach (fielding): Rayon Griffith, Physiotherapist: Dr. Denis Byam, Strength and conditioning coach: Darc Browne, Massage therapist: Dane Currency, Performance analyst: Avenesh Seetaram, Content and media officer: Jerome Foster.

Full Tour Schedule

Three-day warm-up match